UYO – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has advised the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo (UniUyo), Professor Christopher Ekong, to be magnanimous in victory, avoid distractions from past issues and concentrate on sustaining the institution’s academic excellence.
Governor Eno gave the advice, while receiving the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), alongside members of the institution’s management team during a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo.
The governor urged the new Vice Chancellor to draw a line under previous administrations and resist the temptation to embark on probing past activities, warning that such an approach could derail his focus and impede progress.
Describing Prof. Ekong as “a square peg in a square hole,” Governor Eno said the academic was eminently qualified for the position, citing his vast experience in academia and public service.
He congratulated the new Vice Chancellor on what he described as a well-deserved appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to reposition the University of Uyo as a leading institution in Nigeria.
“On behalf of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, I congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment. You are bringing into this office invaluable experience garnered from public service, having served as a member of the State Executive Council and now occupying the apex academic leadership position.
“We have implicit faith in your capacity to deliver. You possess all it takes to make the University of Uyo the Ivy League of Nigeria’s public university system, and we are rooting for you all the way,” the governor said.
Governor Eno also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving Prof. Ekong’s appointment as the ninth substantive Vice Chancellor of the University.
As an alumnus of the institution, the governor further commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the immediate past Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Adewumi, for ensuring a seamless transition that culminated in the emergence of a substantive Vice Chancellor.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, Governor Eno said the state government would continue its bursary scheme to support students and strengthen partnerships with the university to promote institutional growth and broader socio-economic development.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), formally presented Prof. Ekong to the governor, describing him as an experienced administrator and a committed leader who has made significant contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom State.
Banire thanked Governor Eno for his numerous intervention projects in the university and commended his administration’s developmental strides across all 31 local government areas of the state.
In his remarks, Prof. Ekong expressed appreciation to the governor for his unwavering support to the institution and pledged to work diligently to preserve the university’s academic standards and justify the confidence reposed in him.
Among government officials present during the visit were Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Secretary to the State Government Prince Enobong Uwah, Head of Civil Service Mrs. Elsie Peters, Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor Mr. Aniefiok Johnson, members of the State Executive Council and other senior government functionaries.
